Chapter Text
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Monday morning begins with two mammals in particular getting very little sleep.
While Judy tosses and turns all night while struggling with the new found information about Stu actually being her birth father, she is conflicted on how to process the information. She knows that she can’t just act like everything is just fine, but on the same token she can’t help but be very angry about her treatment by Stu for most of her life, especially with her being tossed out of the warren mainly because she fell in love with Nick.
Nick, on the other paw, was also concerned about how Judy would handle the news that Stu was in fact her real birth father. While the doe is normally a very forgiving mammal, the fact that Stu had been so very mean to her throughout her entire life made the todd wonder just how forgiving his mate could be.
With that on his mind, he still needed to talk to not only sheriff Justice about needing a day off to settle his parents’ affairs, but to also finalize the sale and transfer of the property to Liz and Mike in Zootopia, and to let T-Rex know that he’d need to handle the assignments at the local precinct as well.
With all of that going on, Judy still needed to concentrate on her studies at the Academy to stay at the top of her class, and Nick had to field calls from his various contacts within the veteran community (work to be done at the new house under veiled conditions) and in the ZPD (letting Bogo, Mike and Liz know about the closing). Almost as afterthought, Nick cruised past Woodie’s place to let him know that a few mammals would be going in and out of his house for the next few weeks doing some remodeling work, so as not to arouse suspicion or concerns from his neighbor.
…
Monday evening brought yet another slight bit of drama to the conversation.
After their usual updates on the day’s events, Judy tells Nick “I got a call from Dr. Cotton today, reminding me that I need to stop by for a check-up on my next weekend off.”
“Is the appointment right after you get released from the Academy?” he asks.
“Yes … I actually got permission to leave early again like last time. It didn’t hurt that I’m still carrying perfect scores in all of my classes.”
“I’ll be sure to let the sheriff know that I’ll be leaving a little early then.”
“You won’t get in trouble will you? Especially with taking time off this week and needing to go into Zootopia for the day and all?”
“I doubt it. after all, the Tri-Burrows isn’t exactly a crime filled mess!”
“True, but still …”
“I’ll be sure to let the sheriff and T-Rex know, just so there’s no drama.”
“Good. Now, I need to get to sleep, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. G’nite!”
“Good night Fluff, love you!”
“Love you too.”
…
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday passed with a routine that bordered on monotony until the Wednesday night’s phone call.
501 pm:
RING!
“Hey beautiful, how was your day?” as Nick answered the call.
“Never mind, my day, how did things go with you?” Judy immediately fired back.
Well … first things first. The process of probating my parents’ estate went smoothly as expected with no surprises. The contents of their bank account and the title to the land, houses and contents and the vehicles went uncontested. When I went to the bank to meet with Mike and Liz to close on them buying the house the only real issue was the price of the houses and property.”
“Really? How so?”
“Well … first the bank was concerned that I was selling privately and not through a real estate agent because I wanted to sell everything below current market value. The real surprise came when Mike told me that they wanted to buy the property at current market value, mainly because his folks were the alphas of the Wolford pack and would consider it an affront if they were given what would be considered a lowball price on the property.”
“Really?”
“Yep. It was easily resolved when I said okay and took the full price for everything,”
“So, now what?”
“So now we have thirty days to remove everything from the property that we want to keep. Not to worry, Mike and Liz later told me that if we needed more time to figure things out they wouldn’t push the thirty-day timeline.”
“Will the new house be ready before then?”
“Should be. The mammals that I’ve talked to have assured me that any and all modifications that we needed would be completed in plenty of time, including a few that they and I talked about.”
“And those would be … what?”
“Easier to show you when we get there than to try to explain over the phone my love.”
“If you say so I believe you. For my part, I got a text from doctor Cotton, reminding me that I have an appointment next Friday at five pm.”
“I’ll be there at around four to pick you up, I’ll just need to remind T-Rex that I’ll be leaving early that day.”
“You’re sure that you’re not going to get in trouble by leaving early again?”
“As long as nothing major happens, everything at the department is really … lax for lack of a better word? Casual? Yeah, casual will do. Laid back might even be better. Anyway, there’s a lot of latitude for use of fursonal time when needed.” he admits.
“As long as you’re sure …”
“Look, while we will not financially need to work, we both know that neither one of us would be happy just sitting around staring at each other all day. I know that raising kits will be a more or less full-time job, but once they’re in school, then what? We can put plenty of money away for college and or trade school for the kits when they get older, and we’ll have plenty for family outings and such as well. But in the meantime-”
“In the meantime, we’ll need to stay occupied. I agree wholeheartedly. Well, I need to study for the ten-code exam tomorrow, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Love you!”
Love you too ... 'Nite"
…
With the rest of the week and a half going without incident for either mammal, Judy was not the least bit surprised to find Nick standing at the front desk waiting for her to sign out for the weekend.
Stepping out into the warm sunshine that was already beginning to dim, Judy made it a point to give her todd a very warm and lengthy hug before entering the GTO.
Noting the look on his face, Judy admits “Sorry, but I really want to enjoy my mate for as long as I can before we need to abstain because of our physical differences!”
“While I understand, I have to admit that I’m going to miss our little mandatory cuddle sessions myself.” he tells his mate after giving her a very amorous kiss.
“So …” she begins as they drive “has all of the work been done on the place?”
“As a matter of fact, it has!” he announces proudly.
“And-”
“And I’ll be happy to show them to you after everyone has left tomorrow afternoon or evening!” he announces.
“I … I can live with that. I guess!”
“Look Fluff, we can let others in on the secrets after everything has settled down and we know for sure who we can trust with the information. I know that there are a few members of your family that we can trust, but there are some that are questionable and some that we definitely cannot trust, and for our safety and the safety of the kits, I think that we just need to wait a bit before we let anybunny else know about the basement safe room!” he says with conviction.
With a deep sigh, Judy knows that Nick is exactly correct, but it doesn’t make the information any easier to accept.
“I know, but still …”
“Anway, we’re here!” Nick tells his mate as he pulls up to Dr. Cotton’s clinic.
After a brief exam and a blood draw, the three meet for a brief conversation.
“So Judy,” begins Dr. Cotton “everything appears normal so far, I’ll let you know on Monday how the blood tests come out. I guess I’ll see you in another month. Is Friday the 27th at five going to work?”
“Actually, I’ll be graduating from the Academy then, would Monday the 30th be okay?” Judy tells the doe.
After a brief look at her schedule, Dr. Cotton tells her “Monday the 30th should be fine … is eight in the morning okay or would you prefer something a little later?”
After seeing a short nod for Nick, Judy confirms that that date and time would be fine.
…
“Well, that went well!” says Nick as he begins driving towards their motel room.
“Yeah … it’s difficult to believe that I’ll be finishing my training then starting my career so soon.”
“Even if it’ll be for a short time before having to take time off to have the kits!1” he agrees.
“Are you sure that I’ll still be allowed on the force after the kits are old enough for school?” she asks.
“I’m sure that after a short refresher course that you’ll be welcomed back with open arms … and not just by me!” he says with a soft smile.
As he pulls to a stop in front of the room, Judy draws him into a kiss that lets him know exactly how the rest of the evening will be spent!
…
Early the next morning, two totally exhausted mammals look at each other …
“I really don’t wanna do this!” Judy grouses.
“I know, I don’t either, but we have got to get ready, there’s a lot that needs to get done over the weekend.”
“I know, but I don’t got to like it!”
“Don’t got to? Really?”
“Nick …”
“Sorry, but I couldn’t resist, it’s so unlike you.” he adds with a soft smile.
Just then Judy’s phone pings. “Well damn … that’s from mom, they’re on their way here!”
“They, as in … how many?” comes the honest question.
“Ummm ….” As Judy finishes readin the entire text “probably a dozen or more? It looks like a couple of crews to handle the cleaning, painting and wallpapering of the new house, then at least a couple of larger trucks and mammals to help load and transport the furniture and other things from your old place.”
As the pair make a beeline for the bathroom to take hurried showers to at least partially mask the previous evening’s activities the conversation continues “This might be a poor time to bring it up, but we’ll need to transport the station wagon to the new house.” Nick mentions.
“That’s right …”
“But at least I won’t need to make a separate trip back to the old house later next week to retrieve my tactical stuff. I already moved it to the safe room. I brought it back with me during my last trip to take care of my parents will and close on the sale of the old house.”
“I hadn’t thought about that, but that’s really good planning!”
By this time Judy had finished with the fur dryer and was getting dressed when there was a knock at the door.
After taking a few extra seconds to make sure that she was presentable, the doe checks the door. “Who is it?”
“It’s mom Judy.” comes the expected answer.
“Just a sec,” she replies, “Nick needs a few minutes to finish dressing …”
“I’m surprised either one of them is dressed!” comes a comment that was supposed to be unheard, but you know how sensitive a bunny’s ears are.
“I heard that Deb!” remarks Judy through the door.
Just a few minutes later, Judy opens the door and Bonnie, Deb, Darci, Danni and Cotton all file into the room.
“Why do it smell bad in here?” asks Cotton, much to the adults’ horror!
“Ummm …. The room hasn’t been cleaned in several days,” hurriedly begins Judy “I’ll bet that your room smells bad if you don’t clean it very often!” she adds.
Seemingly satisfied with the explanation, Cotton heads back out to one of the waiting vehicles.
With relief flooding all of the adults faces, Bonnie tells Judy and Nick, “We’ll follow you to the new house, then while one crew starts with the cleaning, another will follow them and start with the painting and prepping for the wallpaper in the kitchen and the kit’s room. The rest of us will follow you to Zootopia”
Heading out to the GTO, Judy can’t help but notice that once again Meg has inserted herself into the fluffle.
“Meg?”
“Hey Judes, I hope you don’t mind, but I have got to see your hubbies old place in the city. I heard Darci wondering about it so I just figured that I’d lend a paw …!”
“Of course I don’t mind!” turning to her mate “Nick would it be okay if Meg rides with us?”
“No problem, you two can do some more catching up along the way.”
During the ride, Meg reveals that she has been accepted into the mini course at the Academy, and will be in the class that begins two weeks after Judy graduates.
…
With the trip to Aurora going off with no issues, Bonnie takes charge of the ongoing activities of cleaning and other activities in the new house, while Nick, Judy and Meg lead a procession of two larger covered trucks to the properties in Zootopia.
While Judy and Meg continue to not only catch up on past events, they also talk about some of the stuff that will be moved to the new home in Aurora, particularily Nick’s kithood things in his old attic room.
“Nick,” begins an astonished Meg “you had to stay in the attic?” she asks in partial disbelief.
“Well, you have to understand that when my folks first bought the house and property, it was just them and there was only one bedroom. When mom became pregnant and found out that they were having two kits, dad had originally planned to simply add on a second bedroom. When my sister passed away after only a few days, dad decided to move me to the attic when I got old enough and spend the money on a mother-in-law’s cottage instead.”
“Sister? You have a sister?”
“Again, I had a sister. Nicholle passed away after only a few days.”
“Sorry?”
“It’s okay, I’ve made my peace with it. Besides, Judy has been considering naming the kits after my folks and sister.”
“Really? That would be so cool!”
“Nick has asked me to think about a bit more before the kits are born, but the more I think about it the more I really want to do it … if it’s okay with you Nick!” as Judy looks to her mate for some positive assurance.
“If you really want to name the kits after my family, then you have my total support.” Nick tells his mate.
As a smirking skunk doe looks on, Judy reaches over and gives her todd an appreciative hug.
“Thank you, Nick.” Judy softly tells her mate.
…
Pulling up to the driveway at his former residence, Nick thumbs the remote for the gate, then exits the GTO and backs one of the enclosed trucks into the driveway while Judy instructs the second truck to park along the curb until the first truck is loaded.
While Judy instructs her brothers on what to load and how and where to load it, Meg follows Nick up into his old bedroom, marveling at the items that have become treasured keepsakes.
“This is your kithood bedroom? Neat!” the amazed doe remarks.
“Up until Judy and I visited it a couple of weeks ago I hadn’t been up here since I had run away when I was twelve years old.”
“Wait, what? You ran away from home? Really?”
“Not something I’m overly proud of, but it did end up help turning me into the mammal that I am today.” he confesses.
“You ran away from home at twelve and still amounted to something? Maybe there’s hope for my younger brother yet!” she muses.
Seeing the ‘look’ that Nick was giving her, Meg provides a little backstory “My younger brother Thomas has been a bit of a pawfull for the folks lately! Getting in trouble in school, acting out at home, that kind of thing … nothing overly serious yet, but …!!”
“But still a cause for concern?” Nick finishes.
“Yeah, I’m afraid so.”
“Maybe I can have a bit of a talk with him sometime … how old is he?”
“Seventeen, he’ll be eighteen soon and then-”
“And then he’ll be considered an adult and not a juvenile.”
“Exactly!”
“Let’s wait until Judy graduates from the Academy if we can, then maybe we can talk him into a ride-along.” Nick suggests.
“Sounds like a plan, if he can just not act stupid enough to get arrested before then!”
“In the meantime, let’s get a few moving boxes and some wrapping paper and start packing up this stuff, okay?” as Nick tries to bring the conversation to a close.
…
After several hours of steady work, everything is finally loaded. Nick then begins leading the convoy, which includes not only the two loaded box trucks, but Judy and Meg in the station wagon and him driving the GTO back to Aurora.
When the small convoy arrives at the new house and parks, Nick, Judy and company head toward the house only find Bonnie and the rest of that particular crew in the shop instead!
“What-” begins the todd.
“We needed a bit of a break,” comments Bonnie. “It should be okay now, but the paint smell got to be a bit overwhelming after a bit.”
“How much did you get done?” asks Judy.
“It’s finished. All of the cleaning and painting and papering is done. We were going to stop and get a bite to eat at some point, but when everybunny started acting overly goofy, I figured that we needed to come out here, at least for a while.”
“Did you ever get anything to eat?” asks Nick.
“Gid is on the way with more pizza!” Darci tells the new arrivals. “He said he was sorry but he can’t bring any beer. He can sell it at the restaurant but no take-out. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Besides, he knows better than to bring beer to a cop’s place on a delivery run.” Nick says with a smirk.
Ten minutes later Gideon and Sharla show up with more than enough pizza to satisfy everybunnies hunger, with everybunny at least trying and then enjoying all of the meat flavored pies.
After around twenty minutes or so, everyone has eaten their fill and left leaving only Nick and Judy at the new house, the pair ventures inside to scope out how the crowd under Bonnie’s supervision had fared.
With the windows cracked open slightly to aid in dissipating the paint fumes, the home was at least bearable for the pair to do a quick tour and Judy expresses her satisfaction as she and Nick stand outside in the fading light to catch a bit of fresh air before completing their inspection of the basement safe room.
Reentering the kitchen through the garage, Nick activates the opening mechanism, relieved that the original mechanism was retained.
Noting that the secret entrance first receded slightly then slid silently to their right into the wall almost instantly, Nick and Judy entered the doorway and the motion sensors caught the movement and the basement lights came on immediately.
After closing the panel they descended the stairs, they noticed a laptop setting on a small table in the middle of the room with a note instructing them to ‘PLAY ME’.
More than a little intrigued, Nick opened the device, turned it on and logged on using his old military login.
Immediately after the screen came up, a certain civet that Nick knows well comes into view.
Seeing Judy’s questioning stare, Nick tells her “I’ll explain in a sec.”
“Hey ‘Stalker,” he begins “like I tol’ ya over the phone, everyin’s finished. First, I know yer gonna have questions ‘bout the lights. There’s a rheostat by the switch so’s ya kin turn off the motion sensors since I know ya don’t want ‘em on alla time jus’ in case!”
Pausing the play for a bit, Nick offers a quick comment. “First, that idiot’s name is Sparks, at least that’s his call sign, he’s the IT genius of my old bunch. He tends to talk like that sometimes when he feels like just being stupid.”
Seeing Judy simply shrug, Nick hits play again.
“Anyways … they’s solar panels on the shop’s roof thet looks jus’ like the shingles so nobody’s gonna know ‘bout ‘em ‘cept you! FYI, the new breaker box is in the southwest corner of the basement.
“In case ya din’t notice the new addition ta the back yard, the old lookin’ windmill is new and pumps water directly inta the holdin’ tank thet Mike and Lawrence -‘I keep tellin’ you it’s Larry ya damned idjit!” interrupts a voice in the background.
“Pay him no never mind.” the civet continues with a smirk “As I was sayin’, Mike and Lawrence dug the holdin’ tank and run the plumbin’ ta the sink and toilet. It took a bit of finaglin’ ta get the grey water and sewer lines hooked up ta the initial line ta the septic tank, but they’s good ta go. They’s the ones that run the power lines underground from the garage ta the house too.
“Just fer shits an’ giggles, there’s an upgraded WIFI repeater on the top of the windmill that ya kin use fer yer sat phone if’n ya feel like it. Stalker,” as the civet suddenly becomes serious “you take care of your lady love ya hear? And if you ever need anything else in the future, do not hesitate to contact any of us, and I mean that! Anyways, this is Sparks signing off …” and the screen goes blank.
After digesting the information on the computer, Judy wonders out loud “So … now what?
“Well, it’s about to get dark, so how about we take a quick look around the shop and scope out the windmill, then we might as well go back to the motel and call it a night.”
After nodding her agreement, the couple ascends the steps, opens the panel and closes it behind them, then head outside into the quickly fading daylight.
First spying the windmill, both Nick and Judy observe that while the structure is less than two weeks old, it looks to all outward appearances that it’s been there for decades.
Moving to the shop, only Nick’s trained eyes make out the fact that both sides of the shop’s roof are almost totally covered with special solar panels, which he points out to his mate.
Satisfied that everything is coming along nicely, a slightly worn-out couple return to the motel room for a shower and, well, I think you can guess what happens then …
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